Managing race relations’ tensions in multicultural societies: a case study of Bradford in Britain

Multiculturalism has become a tricky issue in major western societies; there have
been many demands to either stifle multicultural propensities or tailor them to the
needs of host societies. The increasing civil disturbances and social instabilities
alarmed respective western governments to advance alternative neo-assimilationist
discourses and strategies that background multicultural narratives while foreground
social “cohesionist” ones. This article scrutinizes the situation of the race relations
in contemporary Britain with a special focus on 2001 race riots. The locality of
Bradford is selected as a case study. This choice is enhanced by the fact that
Bradford is one of the most multi-ethnic and multicultural cities in Britain.
Moreover, it witnessed the worst race-related riots in contemporary Britain.